Bruce’s ‘Successful’ Season Ends

The Bruce Trojans’ baseball season ended Friday night with a 7-3 loss to Belmont in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.

By JOEL McNEECEThe Bruce Trojans’ baseball season ended Friday night with a 7-3 loss to Belmont in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.“We started the year by winning the county tournament, a first for us, and ended it by having a chance to win a game in the 2nd round of the playoffs,” Coach Sid Burt said. “We finished 14-7, which is the best record that we've had in my five years.”Jay King took the loss Friday for the Trojans who again struggled at the plate, managing only two hits in the game.On a side note, Trojan senior Blake Peden was hit in the face during an at bat after fouling the ball. He suffered multiple fractures around his nose. Belmont topped the Trojans 14-2 in game one of the best of three series. Caleb Hanley took the loss for the Trojans. Derek Whitfield earned the win for Belmont.Belmont scored in all but one inning while racking up 17 hits. The Trojans mustered only four, including a home run by Blake Peden that accounted for the Bruce runs.Coach Sid Burt said the Trojans’ success in 2009 is something to build on for the future.“The future is very bright as we return eleven players that have started a varsity game,” Burt said. “We should be an experienced team that plays hard and responds well in adverse situations. Though we will miss Blake and all that he has done for us, next year should be another fun and successful season. It's my job now to make sure that we are prepared for it and that begins today. We are going to work as hard as we ever have and continue to improve.”